MDS SI Kickoff 2025: a dynamic start to the year
160+ attendees gathered for an engaging kick-off event, celebrating achievements, outlining growth strategies and setting the stage for a successful 2025
The MDS System Integration (MDS SI) team gathered for an inspiring two-day event at the W Hotel, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, on February 20, bringing together over 160 attendees from across all its affiliates in the region including the UAE, Qatar, KSA, Oman, Jordan, Iraq, Turkey and Lebanon. This event set the stage for a successful 2025 with a strong focus on innovation, strategy and collaboration.
With MOMENTUM as the theme, the event underscored the Group’s commitment to driving progress, embracing AI-driven solutions and leading the way in digital transformation. This guiding principle drives MDS SI to stay ahead of industry trends and deliver exceptional value to customers as it prepares for the AI era.
Strategic vision and key insights
The event kicked off with a powerful set of presentations, defining the Group’s strategic direction for 2025. Sami Abi Esber, President of MDS SI, opened with The Power of MOMENTUM, highlighting how agility, sustained progress and adaptability will be crucial for success in this rapidly changing environment. He emphasized the importance of maintaining momentum across teams and customer engagement, driving growth in the evolving technology landscape.
Nabil Bustros, Chairman & CEO of Midis Group, took the stage to provide an overview of Midis Group’s strategic investments and long-term vision, reinforcing the group’s leadership across key markets. His insights set the tone for the year ahead, as it continues to strengthen its position as a leading technology powerhouse.
Gaby Matar, EVP of MDS SI, followed with a session on Customer Experience, reinforcing its importance as a core pillar of MDS SI’s strategy. He shared how technology and innovation must be leveraged to anticipate and exceed customer expectations at every touchpoint.
Yasser Zeineldin, SVP of Strategy & Planning, then presented Strategy to Execution, showing how visionary goals must be paired with effective execution to deliver tangible business outcomes. This approach ensures MDS SI stays on track to meet its objectives, even as the industry evolves with the rise of AI.
Keynote speakers and panel discussions
The event also featured inspiring keynote speakers from Gartner, including Joe Malek, VP for the Executive Programs in Gulf, India and Emerging Markets, and Bashar Kilani, Founder – AI 360 Innovations and Advisory for the Digital Economy Dubai International Financial Centre. Their insights into the latest technology trends, particularly AI, provided valuable perspectives on how businesses can harness AI to stay ahead in the market.
The event also featured two engaging panel discussions, bringing together industry experts to explore AI’s transformative impact. Yasser Zeineldin, SVP of Strategy & Planning, moderated a discussion on AI’s role in transforming industries, joined by Jorge Colotto, GM of AIdeology, Habib Matta, GM of LiveRoute, Jawad Alam, Deputy GM of ICT, Stephano El-Khoury, Business Unit Manager of MAGNOOS, and Bashir Kassis, SVP of Technology and Security at Midis Group, who shared insights on how AI is reshaping business models and driving innovation.
Meanwhile, Tassos Peppas, Regional Director, META at Vertiv, led a session on ‘From Data Centers to AI Factories: Evolution or Revolution,’ with Jihad Abi Saleh, President of East Gulf, Ghassan Abdel Rahman, EVP of Site & Power UAE and Ashraf Al Araj, President of MMR Site & Power KSA. The panel discussed how AI redefines data center strategies and whether this shift represents an evolution or a complete transformation. Both panels reinforced the Group vision for navigating and leading in the AI era.
Industry insights and team bonding
The first day of the event featured an insightful workshop by IDC, where key industry trends shaping the technology landscape in 2025 were discussed. These insights provided a solid foundation for the year ahead and reinforced the Group focus on leveraging AI for innovation and business transformation.
After the presentations, the team participated in high-energy team-building activities, including go-karting and F1-inspired challenges. These activities fostered collaboration and camaraderie, strengthening a shared commitment to success. The day ended with a lively dinner at Yas Island, where colleagues reconnected and celebrated the journey ahead.
Looking ahead
The MDS SI Kickoff 2025 was more than just an event; it was a testament to the strength, expertise and unity within the organization. With a clear vision for the future, a focus on innovation and a team ready to tackle the challenges of the AI era, MDS SI is poised for another exceptional year. Here’s to a successful 2025!
MDS System Integration Group is an experienced and agile Digital Systems Integrator that analyses, assists and accelerates business growth with a team of 2,600+ professionals, holding over 1,400 technology and 250+ service delivery certifications and serving a diverse clientele of over 5,000 customers. MDS SI is ranked #1 by IDC on ‘IT Services revenues across several countries in the GCC.’
The Group holds 60 affiliates across the Middle East and Turkey, with a presence in 11 countries and 18 cities, effectively driving digital and business sustainable transformation across enterprises and industries. MDS SI, part of the Midis Group, is committed to driving business excellence by utilizing world-class technology solutions backed by the most powerful ecosystem.